Ko Ashi (small step) this is part of “hokojutsu” (art of walking techniques) and also is trained and classified as “senkojutsu” (art of infiltrating walking techniques).

This is a small stabbing step that is used to move silently through shallow water, high grassy area or dry leaves. The objective of the technique is to get the foot beneath the surface without causing any unnatural noise.

Make sure that you maintain a low hip position keeping your hips pointed at the targeted position. As you step down, keep your toe pointed straight down and penetrate through the foliage and onto the surface. As your toes hit the ground, slightly lower your heal to the ground place your weight on that foot. From here, relax and move to the next step; this is ko-ashi.

The artistic image is that of a crane walking and picking it’s way through the wild terrain.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony” – Ghandi

I agree with this quote, and I agree that you have to have balance in the three areas of the sanshin (mind, body and spirit). I love being able to wake up every morning and dedicate myself to the study and teachings of budo; with no restrictions or hold backs. I love to be able to help my students grow in the arts as well as love being able to watch them grow in the arts. I love the fact that I can simply teach marital arts and it provides for myself and my family. I love spending time with my family. I love my life.

Morihei Ueshiba (founder of Aikido) once said “All the principles of heaven and earth are living inside you. Life itself is truth, and this will never change. Everything in heaven and earth breathes. Breath is the thread that ties creation together.”

Live your life to be happy, yes there are obstacles from time to time, but it is up to you to either let these obstacles get to you or not, no one is strong enough to get in your head unless you let them.

Yes life is tough, and yes in the end life is going to win, and your time will be over. But you don’t need to live like it is over now, it is not. If you are reading this page, that means you still have time left, to find happiness.

But time is all that we have, that is all, when our time is up, so are we. So spend your time on this earth to bring you happiness, not darkness. Happiness opens the eyes and actually helps you see more positive things in your daily life. Darkness and hate cloud your vision and makes you only see the negative things in your life.

Life is choice, you can choose to life your life happy, be a good person, practice good moral and ethical manners or not, that choice is up to you.